Orlando · CLEAR KAYAK & BIOLUMINESCENT TOURS
20 reviewed
Paddle a see-through kayak over spring water by day, or out onto glowing lagoon water by night. Here are the 15 best clear-kayak and bioluminescent trips around Orlando, with which season each one needs, how dark the launch really gets, group sizes, and the price before you commit to a moonless night.
Kayak 5 miles in clear water at Silver Springs for fish, turtles, manatees, and monkeys with a guide in a small group.
“Chris, our guide, was great. We saw all sorts of animals. It was 2 hours of kayaking so be prepared for that. We only saw a few manatees but there were monkeys, alligators, turtles & birds!! We had a great time.”
Clear kayak manatee adventure at Silver Springs on the Fort King paddle trail. Local guide, dry bag, and wildlife photos.
“Steve was amazing and very informative ! Saw monkey’s, birds, manatees oh my! Beautiful location and scenery”
Kayak the clear Silver River on a guided glass-like tour with life jackets and dry bag, spotting manatees and monkeys in spring-fed water.
“Really fun experience even had Josh the guide to ourselves. Really cool to see all the wildlife on the River and have Josh’s knowledge and experience to guide us around”
Glide Silver Springs in a kayak or paddleboard with clear-water views, wildlife spotting, and expert guides. Equipment included.
“It was great! Sassy was an awesome tour guide. We even got to see a manatee! Highly recommend booking if you are in the area.”
Clear kayaks on the Winter Park Chain of Lakes. Two hours with a local guide, canals, homes, and included gear from Dinky Dock Park.
“Booking this tour was easy. We saw some local ducks and a snake enjoying the cement wall in the canal. History of the local college an famous attendees over many years was fun to learn.”
Kayak Winter Park at sunset in a small group of up to 10. Clear kayak tour with gear included, canals, wildlife, and stories.
“It was a fun, pretty kayaking session with no fears of getting attacked by a gator. The tour guides are super knowledgeable”
Paddle the Indian River Lagoon by night to spot bioluminescent dinoflagellates or comb jellies, with small-group calm and included photos.
“I went on this adventure solo and was a little hesitant at first, but it turned out to be absolutely perfect. The experience was peaceful and relaxing, and everyone on the tour was welcoming and kind. Nate was an excellent guide, sharing not only details about the tour itself but also rich historical context about the region. As an archaeologist and historian, I always appreciate opportunities to learn, and I came away with even more knowledge than I expected. What stood out most was the freedom to explore... drifting into different pockets and simply floating along at a comfortable pace. In contrast, some of the other groups on the water…”
Float Lake Ivanhoe by LED glow in a clear kayak or paddleboard. Small-group night paddle near downtown Orlando, with dry bag.
“It was absolutely a beautiful experience because of the nature, we got to watch the sunset. The people were very friendly and out tour guide Bob had good stories to share. My only disappointment is that I was expecting the LED lights to penetrant the water better to give a better view into it. The LED lights were loosely placed in the kayak, because they were not inside the water directly they did not illuminate it much.”
Glow-in-the-dark kayak tour in Winter Park near Rollins College. Paddles and life jackets included, wildlife, mansions, calm 1.5 hours.
“Chris was a great guide, although at times it was a bit hard to hear him. That tiny thing aside, we so enjoyed this. We are NOT young or athletic, and came with minimal kayaking experience. He was helpful and patient. We saw a lovely sunset and ended with moonlight and stars. It was peaceful and beautiful. Got some great pix. Not much in the way of wildlife. Go with the goal of enjoying whatever you see, and the experience of dusk/night kayaking and you will have fun. Most folks can do this. Go for it!”
2-hour clear kayak or SUP on Orlando’s Lake Ivanhoe. Self-guided paddle with a safety lesson, dry-bag phone photos, and no-gator freshwater.
“This experience was very relaxing. I somehow booked a private rental (unintentionally) where myself and my guest were pretty much exploring things on our own. It was a great experience to learn how to navigate the boats and soak up the sun and enjoy the breeze. I only wish there were more to see, explore and more happening in the lake where the tour happens. The boat are clear but not really much to see through the water. Overall had a nice time but ended up cutting the booking short due to boredom.”
Orlando bioluminescence kayak tour on the Banana River. Guided 1.5-hour night paddle with living-light trails and possible manatees.
“really enjoyed it, plus we got a lightning show in the sky from a safe distance”
Self-guided clear tandem kayak in Silver Springs State Park. Paddle a simple route, spot wildlife, and hunt sunken treasures in 2 hours.
“Friendly and easy to work with. Definitely recommend getting the clear boats so you can enjoy the clear water and see fish etc. We were lucky to still see a few manatees even though late in the season and also saw a bunch of monkeys.”
Clear kayak or paddleboard on Lake Ivanhoe with a beginner lesson, Orlando district views, and guide photos, morning or night, $65.
“Shannon was a great guide for beginners paddleboarding. She taught us the techniques, proper standing and kneeling, as well as how to grip correctly the paddle stick. Pictures were provided and I was able to paddle a tour of a small fish and lotus across the bridge. This is a great guide for the beginners lesson. Dry bag is included.”
Paddle the Rainbow River on a clear kayak at Rainbow Springs, spot wildlife, and learn local nature on an intimate 2-hour eco tour.
“What a cool experience! We thoroughly enjoyed our morning excursion on the Rainbow River. Aly was a great guide - very welcoming and knowledgeable. Must do when in Florida!”
Kayak under the stars in Orlando’s lagoons and watch blue-green bioluminescence light up your paddle. Small groups, gear included.
“It was a great experience. I am looking forward to doing this again. I was super nervous at first but became comfortable. We seen dolphins manatees and being able to see the bioluminescence was magical.”
